Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

Protection of Wages Convention, 1949 (No. 95) - Iran (Islamic Republic of) (Ratification: 1972)

Article 12 of the Convention. Payment of wages at regular intervals. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that it continues to massively subsidize enterprises that are experiencing financial difficulties having granted to enterprises with less than 50 workers 18.1 billion Iranian rial (IRR) (approximately US$1.7 million) in 2010 in the form of social aid. The Committee also notes that according to the Government’s report, in 2010, 17,025 cases concerning 19,790 workers were examined by dispute settlement boards. The Committee observes, however, that no precise information is provided regarding the current level of wage arrears by region or sector of economic activity, and the implementation of measures, legislative, administrative or others, aimed at resolving the persistent problems of delayed payment of wages.

Monitoring the situation of wage arrears – Labour inspection. The Committee notes the statistical information provided by the Government showing for the period 2009–10 a nine per cent increase in the overall number of periodical labour inspections conducted nationwide. These inspections identified 2,192 establishments with 141,661 workers experiencing problems of delayed payment of wages. The Committee also notes the Government’s indications that a new software is used by labour inspection services to monitor the situation of wage arrears and to collect monthly statistics which are then communicated to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. The Government adds, however, that at present the software does not permit to extract exact figures of wage arrears, and therefore, it is being revised and updated. The Committee wishes to emphasize, in this connection, the importance of properly functioning labour inspection services capable of identifying breaches of wage legislation and prosecuting offenders. It also recalls that a proper assessment of the problem in its true dimensions, with its causes and effects, is only possible through the systematic collection of up-to-date statistical information emanating from credible sources. Noting that in its previous report the Government had indicated that working groups consisting of skilled labour inspectors and inspection officers had been established in each province to monitor the wage arrears situation and to address any issues through various means, the Committee asks the Government to provide more detailed information on labour inspection results, including not only the number of visits carried out but also the number of infringements, the sums due and any amounts of wages recovered.

The situation of wage arrears in the sugar cane, textile and metal sectors. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning the sums paid in 2010 to settle wage arrears in the sugar cane, textile and metal sectors through the social aids programme. It also notes the Government’s indication that at the Haft Tapeh Sugar enterprise, as of 2010 the payment of wages to all staff has been on time, and all outstanding payments to pensioners have been settled. In contrast, with respect to the textile and metal sectors, the Government’s report does not contain any updated figures on the amount of the wage debt or any progress made towards its elimination. More generally, the Government’s description of the overall situation of wage arrears remains unclear making it difficult for the Committee to assess the effectiveness of the measures taken to address it. The Committee therefore requests the Government to collect and transmit concrete information on the evolving situation of wage arrears in the sectors concerned, including if possible comparative statistics for the last couple of years, to enable the Committee to assess the positive or negative trends over time, especially in terms of number of establishments and workers affected, and amounts of wages due or settled.